In first Samuel chapter 1 we see Samuel the prophet sent by God to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as the new king of Israel. Jesse brings all of his strong and handsome grown sons before Samuel but God rejects them all. Then they bring the youngest son (David), just a youth and God says this is the one. In Samuel chapter 16 and verse 7 (KJV) it says: “for the lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the lord looketh on the heart."

Wow, what a lesson for us; how often we are smitten by the looks, the dress, the personality, the wit, the volume, the eloquent presence of a man or woman, but our God looks beyond all of this to the heart.

We are often to ready to judge the external but we are told in the word that God uses what we consider foolish things to achieve his Goals (1 Cor 1:27) and that he is no respecter of person (Rom 2:11).

We are warned in James Chapter 2 not to show partiality and to love other people as much as we love ourselves. Let’s try and see people differently today; through God’s eyes. God made all people and desires all to be saved and experience his love (1 Tim 2:4).

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We are often told that actions speak louder than words. Sadly, many people write Christians off as hypocrites; because, so many who claim to be Christians behave no differently than anyone else in the world. If you look at the Greek word for hypocrite it is defined simply as one who puts on an act, hiding his true motives. Jesus lambasted the Pharisees for their hypocrisy (Matt 25:13).

Paul was able to say follow me as I follow Christ (1 Cor 11:1) and he exhorted Timothy to be an example in word and conduct (1 Tim 4:12). Moses was known as a man of humility and David as a man after Gods own heart, a man of obedience. However, we should be encouraged as we know that none of these men claimed to be, or where, perfect.

Jesus is obviously our supreme example of a holy and godly life but even he said there is no one good except God himself (Luke 18:19). We could list many attributes that the real Christian should manifest in public but space does not allow that here. Perhaps 1 John 3:18-19 (KJV) captures the essence: “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him”.

The apostle James tells us that if we claim to have faith but do not have corresponding works our faith is dead (James 2:14-17). How did the men above walk the talk? They were all men that had a genuine and close relationship with God; they were all obedient to the Spirit of God. We can be the same if we press into God and his word and allow his Spirit to change us. Send this onto a friend.

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When we are born again our spirit is made new (John 3:3-7) but we need to bring our body under (1 Cor 9:27) and renew our minds (Rom 12:2). Our minds have had years under the influence of satan and his worldly system that we live in and we need to change our thinking over to God’s influence and ways.

I was looking at Philippians 4:8 (KJV) and the things God says we should meditate on to clean up our minds: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”       

I checked out some of the words from the Greek. Well, true means true and you can’t get closer to the truth than in God’s word. Honest has the sense of something that is good, excellent or honorable. Something that is just, is innocent or even holy. To be pure is to be morally faultless or without blemish. To be lovely is to be lovely. Words of good report are words that lack any negativity or ill report. Virtue, speaks of moral excellence and goodness. God is praiseworthy, so that sets a standard right there.

Paul says meditate on these things. Obviously, Gods word is where our thoughts need to be and we need to train our minds to think along God’s pattern in all our daily interactions and thought processes. The results will be peace (Phil 4:7). Try it you will see results, guaranteed. 

In Daniel 11:32 we are told that: “the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits” (KJV). This is great news but sometimes we get tired and plain worn out from our busyness and efforts. Often because we try to do things our way; or is that just me?

But be encouraged as the word says that: “they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isa 40:31). In this verse, to wait means to wait with patient hope and expectation.

In Isaiah 41:10 we are told that we should not fear as our God will strengthen us, help us and uphold us. We don’t need to fear as God is the strength of our lives (Ps 27:1). “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil 4:13). Don’t let satan steal your joy as: “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh 8:10b).

So, just cast all your cares on him today because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). He is your strength, do things his way. He will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb 13:5).

Have a strong day in him.

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  “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up” (Ps 5:3; KJV). Here’s the best way to start your day; this verse perfectly illustrates that prayer is a two-way conversation with God. King David directs his prayer to God and looks up, or waits to hear from God’s heart. You don’t have to follow any set rules for prayer, and you don’t need to try and pray like some other person that you admire. God just wants us to pray from our heart in faith (Mark 11:24) and be ourselves; that simple. We know that Jesus spent a lot of time in prayer, and if it was important for him, then how much more so for us. We also learn from John 16:23 that we should pray to God the Father in Jesus name; and if we pray according to God's will then we will receive what we ask for (1 John 5:14,15). There are many positive results from developing a prayer life, the main one being that we will get to know God better and we will therefore become more like him.